The Great Franchisee | Former Professional Baseball Player Takes a Swing at Business Ownership to Help Local Veterans Find Employment

The former professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Wes Freeman, recently opened JDog Junk Removal & Hauling in the Lakeland, Florida area with his two business partners. When Freeman left the league, he didn’t know which career path he wanted to take, but he did know that he had a passion for helping others. After a few years in other jobs, Freeman discovered JDog, the Veteran-centric national franchise, and knew that the brand was the right fit for him. 

Coming from a family of Veterans, Freeman couldn’t wait to give back to the people who served this country by giving them career opportunities. He’s looking forward to business ownership in his local community. Freeman wants to use the opportunity to be more involved and support local charities and organizations through his business. 

The former baseball player might be retired, but he still has his competitive edge. Freeman plans to dominate the junk removal industry in the four territories he and his business partners purchased. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Freeman to learn more about his franchising journey with JDog Brands.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Wes Freeman: Before owning a JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, I played professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Due to an injury, I left the league. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after my baseball career, but I always had the desire to be my own boss. I have a baby on the way, and I’m married, so that helped put things in perspective. My business partners and I also own a pressure-washing business, so we had a lot of questions about junk removal services. When we made the decision to franchise, the junk removal industry seemed like a great transition.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Freeman: I had an overall negative perception of franchising before working with JDog Brands. You hear horror stories about franchisors only being concerned with the bottom line and not having your best interest in mind. But after discovering and researching JDog, I could tell the brand was different. 

1851: What makes you stand out as business owners in your local community?

Freeman: I think that standing out as a business is all about building relationships with your customers and your community. At JDog, we also provide a service that people need. I’m excited to get into the community so people here can know the brand and me. I want to be there helping on jobs, not just a distant figure which I think people will appreciate. 

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Freeman: When I was talking with JDog, they just spoke to me on a personal level. The brand also encourages its franchisees to be a big part of the communities they’re in. I loved that. When I started looking at franchise options, I knew that I didn’t want to pull the trigger and sign until I found a brand with a mission I could stand behind. With JDog, I found that. I’m able to help others around me while owning my own business. I also really loved that JDog is centered around helping Veterans. My brother is a Veteran who is 100% disabled. The fact that I can give opportunities to Veterans like my brother is just amazing to me. 

I’m excited to take on business ownership. Especially considering how it will affect my family for the better. I have three kids and a wife. I don’t want to miss a lot of time that I could be spending with them. Owning a business like JDog will allow me to help others and take control of my time. 

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Freeman: We have plans to dominate one territory at a time. We’ll start with one small crew and grow the team as the demand grows. One of our main goals is to be involved in the community and place our employees in a place where they can succeed. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Freeman: You learn a lot as you go through the franchising process. But, in general, I would suggest keeping your priorities in check. Business is business, but you can’t forget about your family and loved ones. 

ABOUT JDOG BRANDS: 

Headquartered in Berwyn, PA, JDog Brands was founded by Army Veteran Jerry Flanagan, JDog’s CEO, and his wife, Tracy Flanagan, when they recognized the struggle many Veterans faced when acclimating back to civilian life. JDog Junk Hauling & Removal and JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care create business ownership opportunities exclusively for Veterans and their families with nearly 300 JDog franchises across the country. JDog Brands provide franchisees with comprehensive training and support for every step of their business ownership journey. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit jdogbrands.com.